Today is Election Day and polling stations across Alberta are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Last week, Albertans came out in record numbers to take part in advance polling. Advance polls were open from April 9 to April 13, allowing Albertans the chance to vote anywhere in the province using new ‘Vote Anywhere’ ballots.

In the Chestermere-Strathmore riding 2,316 people cast vote anywhere ballots.

In terms of the high voter turnout for advance polls, Bow River MP Martin Shields said, “We had it similar in a sense with advance polls federally in the last election. Polling stations were swamped by people last federal election.”

“I think it’s a phenomenon we are seeing more of. When I talked to Elections Canada returning officers, they are saying ‘are you prepared this time for advance polls because people are really choosing advance polls to vote,’” he said.

“When you provide options for people, the way they can vote, and where they can vote, I think it means people will vote. That’s what we found in the last federal election,” he said.

“People really came out to the advance polls, much more than they expected. I think again with this one it shows when the opportunities are available to do it in different ways people will vote. And that’s great,” he said.

Counting the ‘Vote Anywhere’ Ballots

According to Elections Alberta, during advance polling days, electors could vote at any advance poll location in Alberta. They received a ballot printed on demand for the candidates in their electoral division. The ‘Vote Anywhere’ ballots are placed in a separate ballot box from the regular ballots throughout the advance poll days.

After advance polls close, all the ‘Vote Anywhere’ ballots are transported to Elections Alberta for the count.

Results will not be available from the ballots until the count is completed in the days following Election Day. The counting of ‘Vote Anywhere’ ballots will be completed using a high-speed tabulator.

A high-speed tabulator

What do I need when I go to vote?

In order to vote, you must first be on the List of Electors. If you did not register online ahead of the election or if you did not receive a voter information card, you will have to register at the polling place.

You can still vote if you haven’t pre-registered, it will just take a few minutes more as You will need to complete a declaration and provide authorized identification, like a drivers license.

“If you are not on the list of electors, you must provide identification proving your name and address to register. You can provide one piece of government-issued ID containing your photograph, your name, and current address (such as your Drivers Licence or Alberta Identification Card,” Elections Alberta explains on its website.

“Or, if you cannot provide government-issued ID, you must provide two pieces of authorized ID. Both must have your name. One must have your current physical address.”